A Silver Lining Through the Storm

It’s an understatement to say that it has been a crazy time here on the West Coast of Florida the past 2-3 weeks.

First, there was Hurricane Helene. Then Hurricane Milton. Each brought their own set of dire predications and ultimate challenges. In addition to the helpful knowledge we gathered in tracking the path of the Hurricanes and staying alert to warnings, was encouragement we received from friends and brethren on social media.

For the past two years, we’ve posted this weekly column, Facebook Friday. Its stated purpose is to share encouraging, thoughtful, and challenging posts we’ve seen on facebook every Friday. While there is a negative side to social media, there is also a positive side. The gospel is preached. Bible study material is shared. Prayer requests are sought. Needs are made known. Help is offered. And encouragement is both given and received.

During these past two hurricanes we’ve witnessed and received a tremendous amount of encouragement and seen an out pouring of people helping people. Sometimes total strangers assisting one another. It has been a time to keep in touch with friends and brethren not only along the Florida coast, but around the country and even the world.

We’ve appreciated so much everyone’s concern for our well being. While many people suffered extensive wind damage or flooding, we were blessed to be spared both. Our location is about 25 miles inland. And we are on a ridge, 130′ above sea level. Flooding here is not even an issue. And the wind only blew out one panel of our pool screen.

Through facebook and X (formerly called Twitter) we were also to stay in touch with friends, loved-ones and brethren throughout the region and learn of their situation. These platforms provided easy access and means to stay connected and both give and receive encouragement.

Through facebook, we learned about Martin Adam’s work in serving the needs of those affected by Hurricane Helene in the Asheville, North Carolina area, and how we could help. We also learned that Matt Allen and several brethren from Dayton, Ohio, were joining Martin to carry needed supplies to those in that region who’ve lost everything. Good brethren doing good.

We have many connections with both students, faculty, and administrators at Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida. We were glad to learn that they made it safely through Hurricane Milton. In fact, they never lost power throughout the storm. Initial reports indicate the campus didn’t suffer any damage. Additionally, a beautiful expression of thanksgiving to God was posted on the Hutchinson Bell page for His providential care of the students and college during the storm.

My friend and brother, John Shirley, who lives in a very vulnerable area of Tampa Bay, related how three of his young friends, Jake Woolf, Cooper Ford and Shad Stevens banded together to help him secure safer place. John then offered this beautiful conclusion.

All through the storm, lifelong friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, my extended family… messaged me from all over. Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, New York, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Germany and Japan (!)

So my memory of Milton won’t be about destruction. Not by a long shot. It will be about treasuring the importance of family that cares. Go hug somebody.

All of this leads me to remind us how social media can be used for good, to share good news, and inspire us to do good.

Let’s refrain from bitter arguments, name-calling, and impugning others motives on facebook and other social media. Let’s respect each others’ political and doctrine differences. We don’t have to always agree. But we can always be kind. And we don’t always have to comment on everything with which we do disagree.

Look for the good and praise it.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman